Gear oil on firearms

[Rafter-S]

Does anyone besides me use plain 80-90W gear oil on firearms? Unlike many "gun oils," it is sticky enough that it doesn't run dry yet it's fluid enough to carry (flow) debris out from between working parts. It is good enough to protect the deferential gears in my truck for 200,000 miles so I figure it ought to be good on working parts of firearms...not to mention that a $5 bottle will last most of us a lifetime.

I would appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Rafter-S

 

[patrickd]

My thoughts are that the stink outweighs any benefit of using it. When I put my guns away for extended periods of time I use RIG Universal Grease. Never ever had any issues and no smell.

 

[jack the toad]

Although I've not tried it and don't know what firearms you're using it on but first thing that comes to mind is how cold it gets in your part of Texas and is 90W gear oil pretty viscous when cold?
I imagine it offers good coverage for corrosion resistance but what about all-around performance?

 

[Pisgah]

My thought -- there is a real and time-tested reason most gun oils are thin. Thicker oils don't cause dirt to "flow out" -- they hold it in place. The fact is, the very thin residue left by most gun oils is sufficient.

 

[Rafter-S]

My thoughts are that the stink outweighs any benefit of using it. When I put my guns away for extended periods of time I use RIG Universal Grease. Never ever had any issues and no smell.

Regarding the odor, I came from the oil business, so to me it smells like money. It smells good.

I use gear oil on the guns I shoot regularly, though my carry guns are kept close to dry...to keep them from hanging on to dirt and whatever.

Rafter-S

 

[Tom S.]

Don't try it in cold weather. Stuff flows like tar when temps get to zero. While your car/truck may have the hp to make it move, your firearm may not. Nothing more disappointing than having a 10 pointer lined up and getting a misfire because the firing pin won't move. Let alone trying to defend yourself against a BG who used the proper oil instead.

Just because you can use something doesn't mean you should. If you want real protection, do what Uncle Sam does and pack it in cosmoline.

 

[Warren Sear]

Gear oil for gears, motor oil for motors, gun oil for guns.

 

[sophie]

Gear oil for gears, motor oil for motors, gun oil for guns.

Good point, and no I have never used 80-90 weight gear lube for my guns.

 

[Steve912]

My thoughts are that the stink outweighs any benefit of using it.

It'll work as an anti-theft device!

 

[Derosa]

Beats vaseline, huh?

 

[G.T. Smith]

I'll use it right after I have used my gun for a jack handle. Seriously though, I'm afraid that game might smell it and stay away. I stink enough already, don't need no more stink.
Peace,
Gordon

 

[BC38]

Stink? I don't think he's talking about draining it from a differential and then using it on his guns. Clean and straight out of the bottle it doesn't have much smell.

As for viscosity, it is significantly thinner than any kind off grease would be - at any temp.

Not saying I'm going to use it. Just that I don't see a major issue with it. I'm pretty much of the gear oil for gears and gun oil for guns philosophy myself.

 

[jack the toad]

Beats vaseline, huh?

Depends on what you're... ah, never mind.

 

[Rafter-S]

I find it amusing how fast many guys will criticize and poo-poo what they haven't tried or know nothing about. Like I mentioned above, I spent my career in the oil business--in the research lab of one of the "big five" oil companies. Most people are clueless about the millions of dollars that's gone into the technology of a simple quart of oil they buy at Walmart. If they did they would be amazed at what they pour in their engines and gear boxes. Little hole-in-the-wall outfits that bottle and sell "gun lubricants" are doing just that--bottling and selling something that someone else developed. They are marketeers, not scientists. Think about it.

Rafter-S

 

[Tom S.]

I find it amusing how fast many guys will criticize and poo-poo what they haven't tried or know nothing about. Like I mentioned above, I spent my career in the oil business--in the research lab of one of the "big five" oil companies. Most people are clueless about the millions of dollars that's gone into the technology of a simple quart of oil they buy at Walmart. If they did they would be amazed at what they pour in their engines and gear boxes. Little hole-in-the-wall outfits that bottle and sell "gun lubricants" are doing just that--bottling and selling something that someone else developed. They are marketeers, not scientists. Think about it.

Rafter-S

Well, in your original post you did say: "I would appreciate your thoughts and comments."

I seriously doubt that any gun lube company reprocesses gear oil for any gun products though.

 

[Steve912]

Clean and straight out of the bottle it doesn't have much smell.

It does, to my nose.

 

[GM4spd]

I'll leave it in my differential,where I know it's doing the
most good.

 

[RILEY31]

I'm sure it would work just fine. I just don't see any reason to use it. I have never wore out a gun using gun oil.

 

[Mulebuk Sam]

First I read this

I find it amusing how fast many guys will criticize and poo-poo what they haven't tried or know nothing about. Like I mentioned above, I spent my career in the oil business--*in the research lab of one of the "big five" oil companies. Most people are clueless about the millions of dollars that's gone into the technology of a simple quart of oil

*(perhaps as the janitor)

Then I read this

Well, in your original post you did say: "I would appreciate your thoughts and comments."

I seriously doubt that any gun lube company reprocesses gear oil for any gun products though.

Oh yeah people this is simply another case of someone tripping over nickles to only save pennies.
In layman terms that spells usually, young, dumb and cheap.
(I've also met some older ones just as dumb and cheap)
Not I of course mine you.


So people we can file this thread under where most other gun forum threads go,
"tales from beyond and other assorted innuendos"

 

[tpole]

Surprised nobody has directed Rafter-S to Grant Cunningham's informative article on gun lubes.

I recall Cunnigham thought well not necessarily of gear oil, but of the lubricity and other sound properties of ATF.

twb